Jake's POV

The scout came to me just after midday with news I did not want to hear. He stood in my study with his head down, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, the way men did when they knew whatever they had to say would put them in a bad spot.

"Speak," I said.

"Alpha Chase is moving faster than we thought," he said. "Word is he has already called in fighters from two of the smaller packs that owe him favors. They are gathering near the border. It could be days before he ...